Microsoft today announced the general availability of the Windows
Embedded 8 family of operating systems.

"Edge devices connected and working in unison with an enterprise?s
broader IT infrastructure unleash the potential of the Internet of
Things by yielding the actionable data and operational intelligence
that drive businesses forward," said Kevin Dallas, general manager
of Windows Embedded at Microsoft. "From the rich, familiar
experience of Windows to integrated management, analytics and cloud
platforms, Windows Embedded 8 coupled with the full breadth of
Microsoft technologies for intelligent systems helps enterprises
gain lasting competitive advantages in retail, manufacturing,
healthcare and a variety of industries."

Devices at the edge of enterprise networks connected to integrated
Microsoft software and services help enterprises identify and act
on opportunities that otherwise would be out of reach by improving
access to data, enhancing performance, extending security and
powering flexible line-of-business applications. With Windows
Embedded 8, enterprises can harness Windows 8 technologies with
additional features to support industry devices within intelligent
systems. Businesses will also have the ability to add or buy
enterprise-specific functionality for their Windows Embedded
8-based solutions through licensing options Microsoft will make
available in July.

For original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and developers, Windows
Embedded 8 delivers the familiarity of the Windows operating system
to create commercial devices. Windows Embedded 8 Standard and
Windows Embedded 8 Pro are available immediately for OEMs to build
and ship solutions ? Microsoft has launched
http://www.getwindowsembedded8.com to provide download access to
the platforms.

Windows Embedded 8 Industry, which targets retail point-of-service
(POS) solutions and other scenarios across manufacturing and
healthcare that require fixed experiences with enhanced lockdown,
branding and the other benefits of Windows Embedded 8, will be
available the week of April 1.

In addition, http://www.getwindowsembedded8.com also contains a
video series of panel discussions and other resources for
enterprises and OEMs to help them take advantage of intelligent
systems with Windows Embedded 8. The videos focus on three key
industries with significant potential for intelligent systems --
healthcare, retail and manufacturing -- all with unique needs and
requirements for devices, from kiosks to human machine interface
panels (HMI), digital signs and POS terminals.

More information on Windows Embedded 8 is available at
http://www.getwindowsembedded8.com.